…………

Are you nervous, Tsumugi?

Yes. I couldn't quite get the flavor of this right while practicing…

I'm sorry. I might end up being more of a hindrance than a help.

What are you talking about? That's not going to happen. There's no one I would want on my team more than you.

Besides, it's like Setsuna says. The bigger the hurdle you overcome, the cooler you end up looking.

*Giggle* Setsuna sure is an interesting one, huh.

That she is! All the girls in the School Idol Club are such interesting and reassuring friends to have. I feel the same way about you too.

I don't know what to say…

[Fade in/out.]

Oh, it's started!

Kanata! Tsumugi! I'm here for you both!

You're here to sit and watch!

I'm sitting, I'm sitting…

Welcome to our High School pâtissiers from around the country. Today is a day that comes but once a year for all of you to showcase your talents. That's right…

It's the National No1 High School Pâtissier Contest! Let me begin by explaining the rules. You'll be given…

Kana. Tsumugi. Good luck!

They're here from all over the country to take part, so each one of them must be highly skilled.

You're right. It's like a gathering of all the toughest fighters the nation has, all in one place.

That's nothing to worry about. Kanata and Tsumugi are there because they're skilled combatants too.

Besides, the bigger the challenge you overcome, the cooler you end up looking!

They'll be working together too. It'll be fine.

Either way, it sure is great that Tsumugi decided to take part as well.

It's because she saw Kanata's live show. Now that someone else has her back, she'll be able to give it everything she has.

Yeah, you're right.

Not only do school idols get the support of others, but they can show their support onstage too. They really are incredible!

Oh, we'd better get going.

Huh, already?

Oh, where are you two headed?

Well, there's something important we need to do.

Cheer them on extra hard while we're away!

[Fade in/out.]

Okay, I've measured out the ingredients. Does this seem right to you?

Yeah, it all looks perfect. Thanks. Next up is…

*Sigh*

Are you still worried?

Umm… A bit, yeah.

Then let's cast a good luck spell. …Try to think back to that feeling the first time you saw the school idol you adored.

Huh? O-Okay…

Fate draws you to them, and you can't stop thinking about how they're the one for you in every waking or dreaming moment…

Picture her face as she bites into the macaron you made, driven by all those feelings.

All right…

You want to treat her to one again, don't you? The ultimate macaron.

I do!

[Fade in/out.]

And the winner of the grand prize is…Nijigasaki High School's Macaron of Support! Congratulations! What inspired you to come up with this sweet treat?

What inspired you to come up with this sweet treat?

Go ahead, Tsumugi. You answer.

Ah, yes, I… I was inspired to express in the best way I could that feeling someone can have for another… That feeling of wanting to support them.

So, it's that feeling of wanting to support someone that you've baked into this form? Well, that makes it a sweet treat of devotion, then.

Uh, I-I wouldn't say it's…devotion. Someone once said that support is for the supporter. And what they meant by that is, uh, well…

Support has the power to uplift everyone.

If you see a kid trying to pull themselves up one of the bars at a park, you can't help but cheer them on in your head even though you don't know them, right?

Then, if they make it, you get some joy too after supporting them, and you feel good about it.

So support is both for the person you support and the person doing the supporting. It serves a purpose for everyone, so I don't think it's quite the same as devotion.

I see.

How lovely it would be for each person who took a bite to carry that spirit with them and make this world into one where we all support one another!